Trent joins Real Madrid from Liverpool

Trent Alexander-Arnold, the former Liverpool defender, officially joined Real Madrid, describing the move as "a dream come true" during his presentation at the LaLiga club. The 26-year-old left Liverpool last month after a heartfelt farewell, having secured his second Premier League winner's medal. Real Madrid reportedly paid around £10 million ($13.58 million) for his transfer, which was finalized before his Liverpool contract expired on June 30, ensuring his participation in the upcoming Club World Cup in the United States.

In his speech, delivered in Spanish, Alexander-Arnold expressed gratitude to Real Madrid President Florentino Perez and the club for the opportunity, highlighting the significance of signing with such a prestigious team. He conveyed his eagerness to showcase his skills to the Madrid fans and acknowledged the responsibility that comes with playing for Real Madrid. He stated, "I'm ready to give everything for the team and the fans," and expressed his ambition to win titles and grow alongside top players.

At Real Madrid, Alexander-Arnold will wear the number 12 shirt, as La Liga regulations prevent the use of his previous number, 66. He opted to have "Trent" on his jersey for easier recognition among Spanish speakers. His arrival aims to strengthen Real Madrid's defense following a disappointing season in which the club failed to retain both the LaLiga and Champions League titles.

Alexander-Arnold was unveiled at the Santiago Bernabéu Stadium, where he impressed fans with a fluent Spanish welcome speech. The presentation included a highlight montage of his Liverpool career, which moved his mother to tears, and remarks from President Pérez. He is set to make his debut for Real Madrid on June 18, 2025, in the Club World Cup match against Al-Hilal in Miami.